Sakazuki chuckled on the Den Den Mushi.
"Alright, it's good that you're fine."
"Rest well, you won't have such leisurely missions in the future."
Carole also smiled.
"Understood."
"Goodnight, Admiral Sakazuki."
Sakazuki's voice came through.
"Goodnight."
*Click—*
The sound of the Den Den Mushi hanging up echoed.
Carole put down the Den Den Mushi and looked at the faint glow on the distant mountain peak.
"He's... grown up already."
Unlike the original story's wandering, Robin didn't drift for long before being brought by Carole.
Many years had passed in a blink...
The child had grown up... and it was time for him to leave.
----
North Blue, Donquixote Family base.
On a ruin behind Spidermolus Island.
Law sat with his knees hugged to his chest, staring at the sea, his expression unreadable as he pondered something.
Many days had passed, but that scoundrel of a 'jerk'!!!!
The thought of Corazon made Law's anger surge. He had been tormented by Corazon too many times these past few days.
But he hadn't given up; instead, his resolve had strengthened.
He was even more determined to join the Donquixote Family. He would gain power in the shortest possible time!
To destroy everything!
*Grumble grumble—*
The recent surge of bravado vanished instantly as his stomach's growls pulled him back to reality.
The most important thing was to survive first. He looked at the sun; it was about time. He weakly got up.
He walked towards the Donquixote Family base. At least... they provided food.
After a few steps, he heard Buffalo's rather sharp shout.
"Dinner time!!!"
Law's face lit up, and he quickened his pace.
But as soon as he entered the base, he saw that 'jerk' smoking.
He stopped in his tracks and hid.
He only dared to come out after Corazon had walked away.
Passing through the corridor, he saw a cigarette butt thrown by Corazon.
Law clenched his fists and angrily stepped forward.
"That crazy jerk!"
He stomped on the cigarette butt a few times!
Just then, the young Señor walked over.
"So you're here. Doffy has something he wants to ask you."
Law turned, his voice filled with anger.
"Perfect! I have something I want to ask him too!!"
"Why......"
Suddenly, he was lifted up and turned to look.
"What are you doing, you jerk......"
"Ah—!!!!!"
Law felt a heavy blow to his backside, sending him flying dozens of meters away to crash into a pile of garbage.
Señor looked on with a sigh.
"Your dislike for children hasn't improved at all, Mr. Corazon."
Corazon waved his hand and left.
He couldn't help but sigh inwardly. This brat... was too persistent.
Rosinante, now the second generation 'Corazon,' had been undercover in the Donquixote Family for years.
He had driven away many adults and children who wanted to join.
But it seemed to have no effect on this mad kid...
Meanwhile.
Law, who had been thrown into the rubble, got up. His arms and chest were scratched, bleeding profusely.
"I'll kill you... I'll kill you... I'll kill you!!!"
----
The next day.
Law held a small knife he had found from who knows where.
He walked towards the ruins by the shore. He knew Corazon would be reading the newspaper at this time.
"As expected."
Law, who had crept to the back of the ruins, saw Corazon sitting on a large rock reading the newspaper. The corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up.
He crept closer, gained the high ground, and leaped!
The knife in his hand was raised high, his expression growing more ferocious...
Just as he was about to stab Corazon, he could no longer control himself.
"Die!!!"
Rosinante, smoking and reading the newspaper, looked on with pain and shock.
Careless... this brat actually...
He fell to the ground with a thud, motionless.
Just then, a scream came from afar.
"Ah!!"
Law turned back in fear. Damn it... he had been discovered.
Buffalo stared in shock.
"You kid actually violated the rules of the 'Blood Family'!"
"The piercing punishment is unavoidable!"
"I'll go report it to the young master right away!!!"
He turned and ran.
Law's mind was in chaos, but he desperately chased after him.
"Jerk! Wait for me!!!"
The somewhat chubby Buffalo couldn't outrun Law.
In just two minutes, Law caught up. Seeing Law approaching with a bloodstained knife, Buffalo retreated continuously.
"You... you... what do you want to do!"
Law tightened his grip on the knife and said word by word.
"I want you to keep this a secret for me."
"I can treat you to an ice cream."
He then stared intently at Buffalo. If this didn't work, he would have to...
Buffalo paused, then his expression became arrogant.
"No."
Law tightened his grip on the knife, preparing to act.
"I want two, and the triple-layered kind!!!"
Law's face was ashen, veins bulging, and he gritted his teeth, saying.
"Fine..."
----
After buying ice cream for Buffalo, when he returned to the shore, Corazon's body was gone.
Law's heart tightened. Damn it, he had to run quickly...
Without daring to delay, he ran towards the port, but he hadn't gone far before he was caught by two executives.
"Jerk! Let me go!!"
"Let go of me!!"
"Damn it..."
----
*Bang—*
With a muffled thud, Law was thrown into the family's main hall by two executives.
"We've brought him back, young master."
"This kid, for some reason, wanted to escape."
"He was caught by the shore when we apprehended him."
Law snorted and got up.
But upon seeing the person next to Doflamingo, his pupils contracted, and he frantically thought about how to escape this ordeal.
"This guy... is actually alive, damn it."
"That stab, it clearly pierced his body."
"And now he looks as if nothing happened."
"What should I do... it would be too much of a waste to lose my life like this."
"I already bribed Buffalo with ice cream."
"So this guy reported me himself."
"Damn it! Damn it!"
"What to do, what to do..."
At this moment, Doflamingo, who was sitting on the sofa, spoke.
"Law, I called you here for a reason."
"It's just to tell you that you've passed the test."
"The family is ready to accept you."
"You are now officially a member of the Donquixote Pirates."
Law was stunned. That guy... didn't report him?
Buffalo, who was licking ice cream by the window and watching the show, was so shocked that he dropped his ice cream.
Doflamingo said with a smile.
"That extremely painful experience..."
"Has given you a gaze of hatred that is beyond ordinary."
"I think you have great potential, Law."
Law lowered his head.
"Whether you think so or not is irrelevant, as I only have three years left to live."
Doflamingo laughed.
"Hmph hmph hmph hmph."
"That depends on your luck."
Law looked confused.
"Luck?"
Doflamingo spoke.
"We specialize in black market dealings."
"It's common for us to trade Devil Fruits."
"Sometimes, the power of a Devil Fruit can surpass human intellect."
"There might even be a Devil Fruit that can cure your illness."
"If you're lucky enough, you might find a Devil Fruit that can save your life within three years."
"I will train you as my right-hand man in ten years."
"Are you ready?"
Law took a deep breath.
"I'm ready."
Doflamingo said.
"Take him to change his clothes."
"Enjoy this last day of leisure."
An executive led Law away. Before leaving, Law glanced back at Corazon, a strange feeling in his heart.
Corazon, however, was still there, smoking with his head down... The executives gradually retreated.
Doflamingo suddenly looked at Corazon and chuckled.
"Hmph hmph hmph hmph."
"He's very similar, isn't he?"
"The first time I saw this brat..."
"It was as if I saw myself from that night standing before me."
"Truly..."
Corazon looked up, smiled, and nodded.
But his heart sank uncontrollably... This is troublesome.